The Mesa Arizona Temple is the 7th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints map. Numerous colonies were set up in Arizona by the Mormons during the last half of the nineteenth century. Plans were being discussed for a temple in the area as early as 1908, but the start of World War I stopped plans for a while. The Mesa Arizona Temple was finally announced on October 3, 1919. A 20-acre site was selected and bought in 1921 and the site was dedicated shortly after on November 28, 1921. On April 25, 1922 the groundbreaking ceremony took place with President Heber J. Grant conducting.